You may well have heard of Guide Dogs, we’re a national charity working to ensure that people with a visual impairment do not lose their independence. There are around 2 million people in the UK living with sight loss, and all experience a different level of vision and mobility. We offer a range of mobility services to help people keep their independence, and have an amazing number of dedicated staff, volunteers, and of course, dogs who support the Guide Dogs mission.
Guide Dogs needs volunteers who can help look after and support the training of our guide dog puppies! This is a...
Noreen Raleigh, 65 from Exeter, has been a volunteer Care Navigator for two years and it all started when she and husband Peter were supported by Hospiscare.
Noreen says, “We were lucky enough to be helped by this wonderful charity. While Peter was ill I saw that a terminal diagnosis is difficult enough when you’ve got a partner, imagine if someone was going through it by themselves. I remember thinking at the time, if I can support others through this process then that’s what I want to do.
“Around a year after Peter died I started volunteering as a Hospiscare Care...
Lilian, 80 years old from Axminster, volunteers as treasurer of her local support group, helps fundraise in the local community, and has volunteered in the Axminster Hospiscare shop for over 22 years.
Shop manager, Anna says, “Lilian is very modest. She does so much to help in the shop but acts like it’s nothing. She often looks after the whole shop when we are short staffed and even pops in when she is out doing her shopping to check if we need any help. To me she is completely irreplaceable.”
“I volunteer my time in the shop 2 days a week and usually a little bit extra in...
Christopher Hunt, 34, from Dartmouth has been unemployed for an extended period of time after being diagnosed with stomach cancer. After receiving the all clear, Christopher was keen to get back into the work place.
Christopher explains, “My experience with cancer has made me think more seriously about my life. It has completely changed my outlook and perspective. I have a completely different attitude on goals and what I want to do with my life. I knew I wanted to return to work but with no usable references or experience I struggled to find employment.
Help with a practical task at an East Devon Nature Reserve
Join the East Devon Conservation Volunteers for a practical task looking after the orchard trees. Help with mulching and weeding around the fruit trees.
Please book to ensure there are enough snacks for 11am break!
No experience in required, just enthusiasm. Everyone is encouraged to work at their own pace.
Local charity Hospiscare has over 20 shops in Devon and relies heavily on the generosity of volunteers to run the stores. In the Seaton shop they have a core group of volunteers but could do with at least five more.
June Shaw, 61 from Seaton, volunteers at the shop and has done for the last three years. June commented: “Shortly after my husband died four and a half years ago, I decided to give up work. When someone close to you dies it brings it home to you that there is more to life than work, but I still wanted to have something to do. A friend of mine already volunteered at the...
Judith Harris-Deans from Exeter has been volunteering for local charity Hospiscare for the last six years, and describes it as “the happiest place I’ve ever worked.” Since 2012 Judith has been popping into Searle House in Exeter to support the fundraising team with donations administration.
Judith described her typical day: “I usually come in once a week, but it’s a flexible arrangement so if I can’t make it in it’s never a problem, I just let them know beforehand. Likewise, sometimes I will come in much more often during busy times, like Christmas, when the team needs extra help....
“If there is one guarantee in life that’s absolute, it’s death. We are all going to die. However, many never give this a second thought until it happens to someone we are close to. When it does, it can shatter lives. That’s why it’s so important that we talk about death and drop the old stiff upper lip attitude.”
Liz Philpott, 69, from Exeter has been a volunteer for local charity Hospiscare for over 14 years. Having worked previously as a nurse and midwife, Liz began volunteering at Hospiscare as a complementary therapist and reflexologist. Giving treatments to patients and...
Jeff Stokes from Exeter has found a sense of purpose and renewed self-confidence from volunteering with local charity Hospiscare. Five years ago Jeff, who is now 67, retired early from a busy job with South West Water. Having been unwell for a while with a persistent cough, Jeff made the decision to leave work and investigate his ill health further. After seeing various specialists a tumour was discovered on one of Jeff’s tonsils and subsequently he was given the devastating diagnosis of having head and neck cancer.
Jeff had to undergo what he describes as “barbaric treatment” in...
What do you do when your A level results don’t make the grade and you want a career in medicine?
This is the situation Conor Goldsmith found himself in a couple of years ago, but instead of giving up on his on his dream job, Conor started volunteering.
“When my A levels didn’t go as well as I’d expected I had to re-think everything, so I signed up to do BTEC Applied Science at Exeter College. Around the same time I also started volunteering for WestBank. I befriended a lady who had dementia and paid regular visits to offer companionship and alleviate her feelings of...
